Pennridge's Miller Has Eyes On The Nfl

Tim Lewis, Wil Lewis and Robb Riddick are Pennridge High School graduates who have earned national recognition by playing in the National Football League.

Deron Miller wants to add his name to that list, even it is by going through the back door.

Miller, a 1979 graduate, is one of those football stars looking for one of those second chances the National Football League is planning on handing out this Sunday if the strike continues.

The former Rice Owl has been in Indianapolis for the past week trying out as an H-back for Coach Ron Meyer as the Colts try to assemble a workable unit for the makeshift games the owners insist they will put on this weekend.

Miller has had prior NFL tryouts with the Los Angeles Raiders and San Diego Chargers. He also played for the Houston Gamblers and San Antonio Gunslingers of the defunct United States Football League.

Miller has told reporters he's taken the risk of beinglabeled a "scab" by crossing the union picket lines for the money and the pride.

All players get $1,000 for crossing the picket lines and will be paid 1/ 16th of the NFL's salary minimum of $50,000 for each game played.

The former All Bux-Mont performer posed an interesting thought to reporters.

"Who knows," he said. "If this lasted all year, the Colts could wind up in San Diego (for the Super Bowl). If the team started drawing as many fans for us as they did for the regulars, the owners will say, 'Hey, look at this.' They aren't going to negotiate anything."

Quarterback Scott Stankavage, who played at North Carolina, has signed on with the Miami Dolphins.

Stankavage had spent parts of three seasons with the Denver Broncos - highlighted by a memorable experience at the hands of the mauling Chicago Bears when Denver's top two quarterbacks went down with injuries; and he had a tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles this summer.

Jay Repko, a wide receiver from Ursinus College, and Mike Kullman, a defensive back from Kutztown, are trying out for the Eagles squad.

Shawn O'Malley, an All-Bux-Mont linebacker at North Penn, turned down offers to try out for the new teams.

O'Malley, a collegiate star at Northeastern, has had tryout bids with the New England Patriots and the New York Jets.

- Ed Byrne, a junior offensive guard, has been seeing time with the Shippensburg football team that is 2-1 this season following Saturday's 22-15 win over Lock Haven.

Kendall Ross of Souderton Area is a back-up quarterback for Shippensburg.

- Christopher Dock has fielded a volleyball team for the first time ever this fall and the Pioneers gained a measure of respectability last week when they trimmed Souderton Area 15-12, 5-15, 12-10 behind the play of setter Tema Gerber, and hitters Margaret Roques and Renae Allebach.

- Souderton Area is accepting applications for the positions of Head and Assistant Gymnastics coach for the upcoming season. Contact Dan Waters at 723-6061, extension 240 for details.

- Mark Graham shot a one-over par 72 to win the Montgomery County Amateur Golf Championship last week at the Skippack Golf Club. Graham shot a 37-35 to nip Buck Jones and Doug Surine by a pair of shots. Jones took second place by virtue of a one hole playoff. Jim Gudger was fourth with a 75, followed by Bob Millard and Randy Lloyd at 76.

- The Pennridge field hockey team has had some interesting moments thus far. The Rams lost to state AAAA runner-up Quakertown 1-0 before beating last year's AAA runner-up Christopher Dock 1-0 on a goal by Dana Tinsmith.

Pennridge's cross country team has gotten off to a 7-1 start thanks to a team of Karen Sherry, Wendy Ripley, Cher Moyer, Jenna Baith, Cindi Chimiclewski and Lesley Baith.

- Kurt Hausner had a monster game for the Temple soccer team. The Hatfield resident accounted for four points in a 6-0 win over Massachusetts. Hausner had two goals and two assists while fellow North Penn graduate Steve Jeremenko had a goal.